WASHINGTON — With President Obama scheduled to take the stage in four hours, New Jersey leaders gathered here agree today's speech will likely be a sober reckoning of the president's accomplishments and second-term goals.

They discussed what they hope to hear in the president's address, but agreed the specter of Congressional deadlock would hang over Obama's second-term ambitions.

"We live in a tough environment right now," Booker said, but added Obama has "already shown his ability to forge his way forward."

"This time it's just about continuing the work," Booker said.

Lance said he would have preferred to see Republican challenger Mitt Romney taking the oath today but said there's something to celebrate in the peaceful transition of power that is so elusive to many countries.

"It is a celebration of our democracy," Lance said, but pointed out the American people returned a Republican House to Washington. "I think the people in this country support the constitutional system that is checks and balances."

Mayor Redd was home with her mother when Obama was sworn in four years ago. Today, she will be in the audience when Obama addresses the nation.

"While I may not hear it tomorrow, my No. 1 issue is public safety," she said Sunday.

The ceremony is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Capitol Building and will be interspersed with performances from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, the Lee Festival Choir and pop singer Beyonce, among others.

It will be followed by the inaugural parade and a series of balls that will held throughout the city later today.

Patricia Johnson, a healthcare worker from West Orange, made the trek south to hear Obama speak. She said she hopes to hear about college debt and the positive aspects of Obama's health care package.

But most important, Johnson said, would be "getting people back to work."